Clinical implication of endothelial progenitor cells

The exact origin and functional definition of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) remains rather controversial, but many authors agree that the main feature of EPCs is the ability to directly participate in vessel growth by differentiation into endothelial cells in vivo. The majority of these cells...

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Published inExpert review of molecular diagnostics Vol. 10; no. 1; pp. 89 - 105
Main Authors Foresta, Carlo, De Toni, Luca, Ferlin, Alberto, Di Mambro, Antonella
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published England Taylor & Francis 01.01.2010
Expert Reviews Ltd
Informa Healthcare
Subjects
Animals
Blood circulation disorders
Bone Marrow Cells
Cardiovascular Diseases - mortality
Cardiovascular Diseases - pathology
Cardiovascular Diseases - therapy
cardiovascular risk factor
Cell differentiation
Endothelial Cells
endothelial function
endothelial progenitor cell
Endothelium
Endothelium, Vascular - injuries
Endothelium, Vascular - pathology
Humans
Ischemia - mortality
Ischemia - pathology
Ischemia - therapy
neovascularization
Physiological aspects
Risk factors
Stem Cell Transplantation
Stem Cells
Italy
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Summary:The exact origin and functional definition of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) remains rather controversial, but many authors agree that the main feature of EPCs is the ability to directly participate in vessel growth by differentiation into endothelial cells in vivo. The majority of these cells originate from the hematopoietic stem cells of the bone marrow and, under specific signals, differentiate and shift into the systemic circulation, contributing to the neoangiogenic process and repair of the damaged endothelial monolayer. Recently, it has been demonstrated that the number and function of EPCs is positively linked with an improved endothelial function or regeneration but inversely correlated with cardiovascular risk factors: a reduced number of EPCs is an independent predictor of morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular diseases and of atherosclerotic disease progression. Owing to their role in endogenous maintenance and repair of damaged endothelium, EPCs have been examined for therapeutic potential in ischemic diseases and there are evidence-based perspectives regarding their use for vascular regenerative medicine.
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ISSN:1473-7159
1744-8352
DOI:10.1586/erm.09.80